Sermons upon the Book of Job

But he handleth us gently, and therewithal also withdraweth his hand when he seeth us too sore oppressed, and spareth us when we bow under the burden, conditionally that we be of a lowly and meek mind. For we know how he telleth us in his law, that if we fall to sturdiness against him, he will be sturdy towards us, as he sayeth also in the eighteenth Psalm, I will be stubborn against such as are stubborn. We make a fair hand if we be stout, and stubborn, and furnish against God: let us not think to compass §20him by that means. For he will be froward with the froward: that is too say, he will be over terrible when he seeth men use such an obstinate malice against him, and therefore needs must they be utterly oppressed. But if we be of a meek mind too submit our selves too the mighty hand of God: it is certain that we shall always find that thing in him which is spoken of here. Then let us follow that which is showed us by the Apostle. Humble your selves (sayeth he) under the mighty hand of God. For who soever stoopeth down §30with his head, who soever boweth his knee before God to honour him, shall feel his hand ready too relieve him if he fall. But he that lifteth himself up against God, shall be sure to feel Gods hand against him. Desire we to feel Gods hand under us to aid us? Then let us humble our selves. But who soever advanceth himself, he must needs rush against the hand of God, and feel the thunderclap that shall utterly overwhelm him. And so let us bear well in mind this lesson when it is said, Refuse not the correction of the almighty.§40 Wen we shall have caught hold of Gods goodness, so as we know his fatherly love: it will serve to sweeten the afflictions which otherwise will seem harsh and sharp to us. But in the mean while every one of us must apply this lesson to his own use. For it will be an easy matter for us to say, Blessed be God for chastising men so: and yet in the mean season, when we ourselves be chastised, we do not praise him, but rather grudge against him. Truly we must not deal so with him. But when soever we our selves are scourged, let us §50receive the corrections patiently, and let us our selves take those things for encouragements, which we can skill to give for comforts unto others.

But he handleth vs gently, and therwithall also withdraweth his hande when he seeth vs too sore oppressed, and spareth vs when wee bowe vnder the burthen, condicionally that wee bee of a lowly and meeke mynde. For wee knowe how hee telleth vs in his lawe, that if wee fall to sturdinesse against hym, hee will be sturdie towardes vs, as he sayeth also in the eightenth Psalme, I will be stubborne against such as are stubborne. VVee make a fayre hande if we be stout, and stubborne, and furnish against God: let vs not thinke to compasse